The Works in Verse and Prose (including hitherto unpublished Mss.) of Sir John Davies: for the first time collected and edited: With memorial-introductions and notes: By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In three volumes |
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Hymnes of Astrœa.
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 | The Works in Verse and Prose |  |
233
Hymnes of Astrœa.
237
HYMNE I. Of Astrœa.
Early before the day doth spring,
Let us awake my Muse, and sing:
It is no time to slumber,
So many ioyes this time doth bring,
As Time will faile to number.
Let us awake my Muse, and sing:
It is no time to slumber,
So many ioyes this time doth bring,
As Time will faile to number.
But whereto shall we bend our layes?
Euen vp to Heauen, againe to raise
The Mayd, which thence descended:
Hath brought againe the golden dayes,
And all the world amended.
Euen vp to Heauen, againe to raise
The Mayd, which thence descended:
Hath brought againe the golden dayes,
And all the world amended.
Rudenesse it selfe she doth refine,
Euen like an Alchymist diuine,
Grosse times of yron turning
Into the purest forme of gold:
Not to corrupt, till heauen waxe old,
And be refined with burning.
Euen like an Alchymist diuine,
Grosse times of yron turning
Into the purest forme of gold:
Not to corrupt, till heauen waxe old,
And be refined with burning.
238
HYMNE II. To Astrœa.
Eternall Virgin, Goddesse true,
Let me presume to sing to you.
Ioue, euen great Ioue hath leasure
Sometimes to heare the vulgar creu,
And heares them oft with pleasure.
Let me presume to sing to you.
Ioue, euen great Ioue hath leasure
Sometimes to heare the vulgar creu,
And heares them oft with pleasure.
Blessèd Astrœa, I in part
Enioy the blessings you impart,
The Peace, the milke and hony,
Humanitie, and civil Art,
Aricher dower then money.
Enioy the blessings you impart,
The Peace, the milke and hony,
Humanitie, and civil Art,
Aricher dower then money.
Right glad am I that now I liue,
Euen in these dayes whereto you giue
Great happinesse and glory;
If after you I should be borne,
No doubt I should my birth-day scorne,
Admiring your sweet storie.
Euen in these dayes whereto you giue
Great happinesse and glory;
If after you I should be borne,
No doubt I should my birth-day scorne,
Admiring your sweet storie.
239
HYMNE III. To the Spring.
Earth now is greene, and heauen is blew,
Liuely Spring which makes all new,
Iolly Spring, doth enter;
Sweete yong sun-beames doe subdue
Angry, agèd Winter.
Liuely Spring which makes all new,
Iolly Spring, doth enter;
Sweete yong sun-beames doe subdue
Angry, agèd Winter.
Blasts are milde, and seas are calme,
Euery meadow flowes with balme,
The Earth weares all her riches;
Harmonious birdes sing such a psalme,
As eare and heart bewitches.
Euery meadow flowes with balme,
The Earth weares all her riches;
Harmonious birdes sing such a psalme,
As eare and heart bewitches.
Reserue (sweet Spring) this Nymph of ours,
Eternall garlands of thy flowers,
Greene garlands neuer wasting;
In her shall last our State's faire Spring,
Now and for euer flourishing,
As long as Heauen is lasting.
Eternall garlands of thy flowers,
Greene garlands neuer wasting;
In her shall last our State's faire Spring,
Now and for euer flourishing,
As long as Heauen is lasting.
240
HYMNE IV. To the Moneth of May.
Each day of thine, sweet moneth of May,
Loue makes a solemne holy-day.
I will performe like duty,
Sith thou resemblest euery way
Astrœa, Queen of beauty.
Loue makes a solemne holy-day.
I will performe like duty,
Sith thou resemblest euery way
Astrœa, Queen of beauty.
Both you fresh beauties do pertake,
Either's aspect doth Summer make,
Thoughts of young Loue awaking;
Hearts you both doe cause to ake,
And yet be pleas'd with akeing.
Either's aspect doth Summer make,
Thoughts of young Loue awaking;
Hearts you both doe cause to ake,
And yet be pleas'd with akeing.
Right deare art thou, and so is shee,
Euen like attractiue sympathy,
Gaines vnto both like dearenesse;
I weene this made Antiquitie
Name thee, sweet May of Maiestie,
As being both like in clearnesse.
Euen like attractiue sympathy,
Gaines vnto both like dearenesse;
I weene this made Antiquitie
Name thee, sweet May of Maiestie,
As being both like in clearnesse.
241
HYMNE V. To the Larke.
Earley, cheerfull, mounting Larke,
Light's gentle vsher, Morning's clark,
In merry notes delighting:
Stint awhile thy song, and harke,
And learne my new inditing.
Light's gentle vsher, Morning's clark,
In merry notes delighting:
Stint awhile thy song, and harke,
And learne my new inditing.
Beare vp this hymne, to heau'n it beare,
Euen vp to heau'n, and sing it there,
To heau'n each morning beare it;
Haue it set to some sweet sphere,
And let the Angels heare it.
Euen vp to heau'n, and sing it there,
To heau'n each morning beare it;
Haue it set to some sweet sphere,
And let the Angels heare it.
Renownd Astrœa, that great name,
Exceeding great in worth and fame,
Great worth hath so renownd it;
It is Astrœa's name I praise,
Now then, sweet Larke, do thou it raise,
And in high Heauen resound it.
Exceeding great in worth and fame,
Great worth hath so renownd it;
It is Astrœa's name I praise,
Now then, sweet Larke, do thou it raise,
And in high Heauen resound it.
242
HYMNE VI. To the Nightingale.
Euery night from euen till morne,
Loue's Quirister amidde the thorne
Is now so sweet a singer:
So sweet, as for her song I scorne
Apollo's voice, and finger.
Loue's Quirister amidde the thorne
Is now so sweet a singer:
So sweet, as for her song I scorne
Apollo's voice, and finger.
But Nightingale, sith you delight
Euer to watch the starry night:
Tell all the starres of heauen,
Heauen neuer had a starre so bright,
As now to Earth is giuen.
Euer to watch the starry night:
Tell all the starres of heauen,
Heauen neuer had a starre so bright,
As now to Earth is giuen.
Royall Astrœa makes our day
Eternall with her beames, nor may
Grosse darknesse ouercome her;
I now perceiue why some doe write,
No countrey hath so short a night,
As England hath in Summer.
Eternall with her beames, nor may
Grosse darknesse ouercome her;
I now perceiue why some doe write,
No countrey hath so short a night,
As England hath in Summer.
243
HYMN VII. To the Rose.
Eye of the Garden, Queene of flowres,
Love's cup wherein he nectar powres,
Ingendered first of nectar:
Sweet nurse-child of the Spring's young howres,
And Beautie's faire character.
Love's cup wherein he nectar powres,
Ingendered first of nectar:
Sweet nurse-child of the Spring's young howres,
And Beautie's faire character.
Blest iewell that the Earth doth weare,
Euen when the braue young sunne draws neare,
To her hot Loue pretending;
Himselfe likewise like forme doth beare,
At rising and descending.
Euen when the braue young sunne draws neare,
To her hot Loue pretending;
Himselfe likewise like forme doth beare,
At rising and descending.
Rose of the Queene of Loue belou'd;
England's great Kings diuinely mou'd,
Gaue Roses in their banner;
It shewed that Beautie's Rose indeed,
Now in this age should them succeed,
And raigne in more sweet manner.
England's great Kings diuinely mou'd,
Gaue Roses in their banner;
It shewed that Beautie's Rose indeed,
Now in this age should them succeed,
And raigne in more sweet manner.
244
HYMNE VIII. To all the Princes of Europe.
Europe, the earth's sweet Paradise,
Let all thy kings that would be wise,
In politique deuotion:
Sayle hither to obserue her eyes,
And marke her heaunly motion.
Let all thy kings that would be wise,
In politique deuotion:
Sayle hither to obserue her eyes,
And marke her heaunly motion.
Braue Princes of this ciuill age,
Enter into this pilgrimage:
This saint's tongue is an oracle,
Her eye hath made a Prince a page,
And works each day a miracle.
Enter into this pilgrimage:
This saint's tongue is an oracle,
Her eye hath made a Prince a page,
And works each day a miracle.
Raise but your lookes to her, and see
Euen the true beames of maiestie,
Great Princes, marke her duly;
If all the world you doe suruey,
No forehead spreades so bright a ray,
And notes a Prince so truly.
Euen the true beames of maiestie,
Great Princes, marke her duly;
If all the world you doe suruey,
No forehead spreades so bright a ray,
And notes a Prince so truly.
245
HYMNE IX. To Flora.
Empresse of flowers, tell where away
Lies your sweet Court this merry May,
In Greenewich Garden allies?
Since there the heauenly powers do play
And haunt no other vallies.
Lies your sweet Court this merry May,
In Greenewich Garden allies?
Since there the heauenly powers do play
And haunt no other vallies.
Beautie, vertue, maiestie,
Eloquent Muses, three times three,
The new fresh Houres, and Graces,
Haue pleasure in this place to be,
Aboue all other places.
Eloquent Muses, three times three,
The new fresh Houres, and Graces,
Haue pleasure in this place to be,
Aboue all other places.
Roses and lillies did them draw,
Ere they diuine Astrœa saw;
Gay flowers they sought for pleasure:
Instead of gathering crownes of flowers,
Now gather they Astrœa's dowers,
And beare to heauen that treasure.
Ere they diuine Astrœa saw;
Gay flowers they sought for pleasure:
Instead of gathering crownes of flowers,
Now gather they Astrœa's dowers,
And beare to heauen that treasure.
246
HYMNE X. To the Moneth of September.
Each moneth hath praise in some degree;
Let May to others seeme to be
In sense the sweetest Season;
September thou are best to me,
And best dost please my reason.
Let May to others seeme to be
In sense the sweetest Season;
September thou are best to me,
And best dost please my reason.
But neither for thy corne nor wine
Extoll I those mild dayes of thine,
Though corne and wine might praise thee;
Heauen gives thee honour more diuine,
And higher fortunes raise thee.
Extoll I those mild dayes of thine,
Though corne and wine might praise thee;
Heauen gives thee honour more diuine,
And higher fortunes raise thee.
Renownd art thou (sweet moneth) for this,
Emong thy dayes her birth-day is;
Grace, plenty, peace and honour,
In one faire hour with her were borne,
Now since they still her crowne adorne,
And still attend vpon her.
Emong thy dayes her birth-day is;
Grace, plenty, peace and honour,
In one faire hour with her were borne,
Now since they still her crowne adorne,
And still attend vpon her.
247
HYMNE XI. To the Sunne.
Eye of the world, fountaine of light,
Life of Day, and death of Night:
I humbly seeke thy kindnesse:
Sweet, dazle not my feeble sight,
And strike me not with blindnesse.
Life of Day, and death of Night:
I humbly seeke thy kindnesse:
Sweet, dazle not my feeble sight,
And strike me not with blindnesse.
Behold me mildly from that face,
Euen where thou now dost run thy race,
The spheare where now thou turnest;
Hauing like Phaeton chang'd thy place,
And yet hearts onely burnest.
Euen where thou now dost run thy race,
The spheare where now thou turnest;
Hauing like Phaeton chang'd thy place,
And yet hearts onely burnest.
Red in her right cheeke thou dost rise,
Exalted after in her eyes,
Great glory there thou shewest:
In th'other cheeke when thou descendest,
New rednesse vnto it thou lendest,
And so thy round thou goest.
Exalted after in her eyes,
Great glory there thou shewest:
In th'other cheeke when thou descendest,
New rednesse vnto it thou lendest,
And so thy round thou goest.
248
HYMNE XII. To her Picture.
Extreame was his audacitie,
Little his skill, that finisht thee;
I am asham'd and sorry,
So dull her counterfeit should bee,
And she so full of glory.
Little his skill, that finisht thee;
I am asham'd and sorry,
So dull her counterfeit should bee,
And she so full of glory.
But here are colours red and white,
Each line, and each proportion right;
These lines, this red and whitenesse,
Haue wanting yet a life and light,
A maiestie, and brightnesse.
Each line, and each proportion right;
These lines, this red and whitenesse,
Haue wanting yet a life and light,
A maiestie, and brightnesse.
Rude counterfeit, I then did erre,
Euen now when I would needs inferre
Great boldnesse in thy maker:
I did mistake, he was not bold,
Nor durst his eyes her eyes behold:
And this made him mistake her.
Euen now when I would needs inferre
Great boldnesse in thy maker:
I did mistake, he was not bold,
Nor durst his eyes her eyes behold:
And this made him mistake her.
249
HYMNE XIII. Of her Minde.
Earth, now adiew, my rauisht thought
Lifted to Hea'u sets thee at nought;
Infinite is my longing,
Secrets of angels to be taught,
And things to Heau'n belonging.
Lifted to Hea'u sets thee at nought;
Infinite is my longing,
Secrets of angels to be taught,
And things to Heau'n belonging.
Brought downe from heau'n of angels kind,
Euen now doe I admire her mind:
This is my contemplation,
Her cleare sweet spirit, which is refin'd
Aboue humane creation.
Euen now doe I admire her mind:
This is my contemplation,
Her cleare sweet spirit, which is refin'd
Aboue humane creation.
Rich sun-beame of th'Æternall light,
Excellent Soule, how shall I wright;
Good angels make me able;
I cannot see but by your eye,
Nor, but by your tongue, signifie
A thing so admirable.
Excellent Soule, how shall I wright;
Good angels make me able;
I cannot see but by your eye,
Nor, but by your tongue, signifie
A thing so admirable.
250
HYMNE XIV. Of the Sun-beames of her Mind.
Exceeding glorious is the starre,
Let vs behold her beames afarre
In a side line reflected;
Sight bears them not, when neere they are,
And in right lines directed.
Let vs behold her beames afarre
In a side line reflected;
Sight bears them not, when neere they are,
And in right lines directed.
Behold her in her vertues' beames,
Extending sun-like to all realmes;
The sunne none viewes too neerly;
Her well of goodnes in these streames,
Appeares right well and clearely.
Extending sun-like to all realmes;
The sunne none viewes too neerly;
Her well of goodnes in these streames,
Appeares right well and clearely.
Radiant vertues, if your light
Enfeeble the best iudgement's sight,
Great splendor aboue measure
Is in the minde from whence you flow:
No wit may haue accesse to know,
And view so bright a treasure.
Enfeeble the best iudgement's sight,
Great splendor aboue measure
Is in the minde from whence you flow:
No wit may haue accesse to know,
And view so bright a treasure.
251
HYMNE XV. Of her Wit.
Eye of that mind most quicke and cleere,—
Like Heauen's eye, which from his spheare
Into all things prieth:
Sees through all things euery where,
And all their natures trieth.
Like Heauen's eye, which from his spheare
Into all things prieth:
Sees through all things euery where,
And all their natures trieth.
Bright image of an angel's wit,
Exceeding sharpe and swift like it,
Things instantly discerning:
Hauing a nature infinit,
And yet increas'd by learning.
Exceeding sharpe and swift like it,
Things instantly discerning:
Hauing a nature infinit,
And yet increas'd by learning.
Rebound vpon thy selfe thy light,
Enioy thine own sweet precious sight
Giue us but some reflection;
It is enough for vs if we
Now in her speech, now policie,
Admire thine high perfection.
Enioy thine own sweet precious sight
Giue us but some reflection;
It is enough for vs if we
Now in her speech, now policie,
Admire thine high perfection.
252
HYMNE XVI. Of her Will.
Euer well affected will,
Louing goodnesse, loathing ill,
Inestimable treasure!
Since such a power hath power to spill,
And save vs at her pleasure.
Louing goodnesse, loathing ill,
Inestimable treasure!
Since such a power hath power to spill,
And save vs at her pleasure.
Be thou our law, sweet will, and say
Euen what thou wilt, we will obay
This law, if I could reade it:
Herein would I spend night and day,
And study still to plead it.
Euen what thou wilt, we will obay
This law, if I could reade it:
Herein would I spend night and day,
And study still to plead it.
Royall free will, and onely free,
Each other will is slaue to thee;
Glad is each will to serue thee:
In thee such princely power is seene,
No spirit but takes thee for her Queene,
And thinkes she must obserue thee.
Each other will is slaue to thee;
Glad is each will to serue thee:
In thee such princely power is seene,
No spirit but takes thee for her Queene,
And thinkes she must obserue thee.
253
HYMNE XVII. Of her Memorie.
Excellent iewels would you see,
Louely ladies? come with me,
I will (for loue I owe you).
Shew you as rich a treasurie,
As East or West can shew you.
Louely ladies? come with me,
I will (for loue I owe you).
Shew you as rich a treasurie,
As East or West can shew you.
Behold, if you can iudge of it,
Euen that great store-house of her wit:
That beautiful large Table,
Her Memory, wherein is writ
All knowledge admirable.
Euen that great store-house of her wit:
That beautiful large Table,
Her Memory, wherein is writ
All knowledge admirable.
Reade this faire book and you shall learne
Exquisite skill; if you discerne,
Gaine heau'n by this discerning;
In such a memory diuine,
Nature did forme the Muses nine,
And Pallas Queene of Learning.
Exquisite skill; if you discerne,
Gaine heau'n by this discerning;
In such a memory diuine,
Nature did forme the Muses nine,
And Pallas Queene of Learning.
254
HYMNE XVIII. Of Her Phantasie.
Exquisite curiositie,
Looke on thy selfe with iudging eye,
If ought be faultie, leaue it:
So delicate a phantasie
As this, will straight perceiue it.
Looke on thy selfe with iudging eye,
If ought be faultie, leaue it:
So delicate a phantasie
As this, will straight perceiue it.
Because her temper is so fine,
Endewed with harmonies diuine;
Therefore if discord strike it,
Her true proportions doe repine,
And sadly do mislike it.
Endewed with harmonies diuine;
Therefore if discord strike it,
Her true proportions doe repine,
And sadly do mislike it.
Right otherwise a pleasure sweet
Euer she takes in actions meet,
Gracing with smiles such meetnesse;
In her faire forehead beames appeare,
No Summer's day is halfe so cleare,
Adorn'd with halfe that sweetnesse.
Euer she takes in actions meet,
Gracing with smiles such meetnesse;
In her faire forehead beames appeare,
No Summer's day is halfe so cleare,
Adorn'd with halfe that sweetnesse.
255
HYMNE XIX. Of the Organs of her Minde.
Eclipsed she is, and her bright rayes,
Lie under vailes, yet many wayes
Is her faire forme reuealed;
She diuersly her selfe conueyes,
And cannot be concealed.
Lie under vailes, yet many wayes
Is her faire forme reuealed;
She diuersly her selfe conueyes,
And cannot be concealed.
By instruments her powers appeare
Exceedingly well tun'd and cleare.
This lute is still in measure,
Holds still in tune, euen like a spheare,
And yeelds the world sweet pleasure.
Exceedingly well tun'd and cleare.
This lute is still in measure,
Holds still in tune, euen like a spheare,
And yeelds the world sweet pleasure.
Resolue me, Muse, how this thing is,
Euer a body like to this
Gaue Heau'n to earthly creature?
I am but fond this doubt to make
No doubt the angels bodies take,
Above our common nature.
Euer a body like to this
Gaue Heau'n to earthly creature?
I am but fond this doubt to make
No doubt the angels bodies take,
Above our common nature.
256
HYMNE XX. Of the Passions of her Heart.
Examine not th'inscrutable heart,
Light Muse of her, though she in part
Impart it to the subiect;
Search not, although from Heau'n thou art,
And this an heauenly obiect.
Light Muse of her, though she in part
Impart it to the subiect;
Search not, although from Heau'n thou art,
And this an heauenly obiect.
But since she hath a heart, we know,
Euer some passions thence doe flow,
Though ever rul'd with Honor;
Her judgment raignes, they waite below,
And fixe their eyes vpon her.
Euer some passions thence doe flow,
Though ever rul'd with Honor;
Her judgment raignes, they waite below,
And fixe their eyes vpon her.
Rectified so, they in their kind
Encrease each vertue of her mind,
Gouern'd with mild tranquilitie;
In all the regions vnder heau'n,
No State doth beare it selfe so euen,
And with so sweet facilitie.
Encrease each vertue of her mind,
Gouern'd with mild tranquilitie;
In all the regions vnder heau'n,
No State doth beare it selfe so euen,
And with so sweet facilitie.
257
HYMNE XXI. Of the innumerable vertues of her minde.
Ere thou proceed in these sweet paine
Learne Muse how many drops it raines
In cold and moist December;
Sum up May flowres, and August graines,
And grapes of mild September.
Learne Muse how many drops it raines
In cold and moist December;
Sum up May flowres, and August graines,
And grapes of mild September.
Beare the Sea's sand in memory,
Earth's grasses and the starres in skie,
The little moates which mounted,
Hang, in the beames of Phœbus' eye,
And neuer can be counted.
Earth's grasses and the starres in skie,
The little moates which mounted,
Hang, in the beames of Phœbus' eye,
And neuer can be counted.
Recount these numbers numberlesse,
Ere thou her vertue canst expresse,
Great wits this count will, cumber.
Instruct thy selfe in numbring Schooles;
Now courtiers vse to begge for fooles,
All such as cannot number.
Ere thou her vertue canst expresse,
Great wits this count will, cumber.
Instruct thy selfe in numbring Schooles;
Now courtiers vse to begge for fooles,
All such as cannot number.
248
HYMNE XXII. Of her Wisdome.
E[a]gle-eyed Wisdome, life's loadstarre,
Looking neere on things afarre;
Ioue's best beloued daughter,
Showes to her spirit all that are,
As Ioue himselfe hath taught her.
Looking neere on things afarre;
Ioue's best beloued daughter,
Showes to her spirit all that are,
As Ioue himselfe hath taught her.
By this straight rule she rectifies
Each thought that in [her] heart doth rise:
This is her cleane true mirror,
Her looking-glasse, wherein she spies
A[ll] forms of Truth and Error.
Each thought that in [her] heart doth rise:
This is her cleane true mirror,
Her looking-glasse, wherein she spies
A[ll] forms of Truth and Error.
Right princely vertue fit to raigne,
Enthroniz'd in her spirit remaine,
Guiding our fortunes euer;
If we this starre once cease to see,
No doubt our State will shipwrackt bee
And torne and sunke for euer.
Enthroniz'd in her spirit remaine,
Guiding our fortunes euer;
If we this starre once cease to see,
No doubt our State will shipwrackt bee
And torne and sunke for euer.
259
HYMNE XXIII. Of her Justice.
Exil'd Astrœa is come againe,
Lo here she doth all things maintaine
In number, weight, and measure:
She rules vs with delightfull paine,
And we obey with pleasure.
Lo here she doth all things maintaine
In number, weight, and measure:
She rules vs with delightfull paine,
And we obey with pleasure.
By Loue she rules more then by Law,
Euen her great mercy breedeth awe;
This is her sword and scepter;
Herewith she hearts did euer draw,
And this guard euer kept her.
Euen her great mercy breedeth awe;
This is her sword and scepter;
Herewith she hearts did euer draw,
And this guard euer kept her.
Reward doth sit in her right-hand,
Each vertue thence taks her garland
Gather'd in Honor's garden:
In her left hand (wherein should be
Nought but the sword) sits Clemency
And conquers Vice with pardon.
Each vertue thence taks her garland
Gather'd in Honor's garden:
In her left hand (wherein should be
Nought but the sword) sits Clemency
And conquers Vice with pardon.
260
HYMNE XXIV. Of her Magnanimitie.
Euen as her State, so is her mind,
Lifted aboue the vulgar kind:
It treades proud Fortune vnder;
Sun-like it sits aboue the wind,
Aboue the stormes and thunder.
Lifted aboue the vulgar kind:
It treades proud Fortune vnder;
Sun-like it sits aboue the wind,
Aboue the stormes and thunder.
Braue spirit, large heart, admiring nought,
Esteeming each thing as it ought,
That swelleth not, nor shrinketh:
Honour is alwayes in her thought,
And of great things she thinketh
Esteeming each thing as it ought,
That swelleth not, nor shrinketh:
Honour is alwayes in her thought,
And of great things she thinketh
Rocks, pillars, and heauen's axel tree,
Exemplifie her constancy;
Great changes neuer change her:
In her sexe, feares are wont to rise,
Nature permits, Vertue denies,
And scornes the face of Daunger.
Exemplifie her constancy;
Great changes neuer change her:
In her sexe, feares are wont to rise,
Nature permits, Vertue denies,
And scornes the face of Daunger.
261
HYMNE XXV. Of her Moderation.
Empresse of kingdomes though she be,
Larger is her soueraigntie
If she her selfe doe gouerne;
Subiect vnto her self is she,
And of her selfe true soueraigne.
Larger is her soueraigntie
If she her selfe doe gouerne;
Subiect vnto her self is she,
And of her selfe true soueraigne.
Beautie's crowne though she do weare,
Exalted into Fortune's chaire,
Thron'd like the Queene of Pleasure:
Her vertues still possesse her eare,
And counsell her to measure.
Exalted into Fortune's chaire,
Thron'd like the Queene of Pleasure:
Her vertues still possesse her eare,
And counsell her to measure.
Reason, if shee incarnate were,
Euen Reason's selfe could neuer beare
Greatnesse with moderation;
In her one temper still is seene,
No libertie claimes she as Queene,
And showes no alteration.
Euen Reason's selfe could neuer beare
Greatnesse with moderation;
In her one temper still is seene,
No libertie claimes she as Queene,
And showes no alteration.
262
HYMNE XXVI. To Enuy.
Enuy, goe weepe; my Muse and I
Laugh thee to scorne: thy feeble eye
Is dazeled with the glory
Shining in this gay poesie,
And little golden story.
Laugh thee to scorne: thy feeble eye
Is dazeled with the glory
Shining in this gay poesie,
And little golden story.
Behold how my proud quill doth shed
Eternall nectar on her head;
The pompe of coronation
Hath not such power her fame to spread,
As this my admiration.
Eternall nectar on her head;
The pompe of coronation
Hath not such power her fame to spread,
As this my admiration.
Respect my pen as free and franke
Expecting not reward nor thanke,
Great wonder onely moues it;
I never made it mercenary,
Nor should my Muse this burthen carrie
As hyr'd, but that she loues it.
Expecting not reward nor thanke,
Great wonder onely moues it;
I never made it mercenary,
Nor should my Muse this burthen carrie
As hyr'd, but that she loues it.
Finis.
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